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Help please
- Thread starter Mrs Taz
- Start Date
Daibell
Master
Hi. Most docs won't prescribe a meter and strips for T2s where they are only on diet or diet and Metformin due to cost. You can buy a meter from the local chemist or online. Strips are the expensive bit. You can usually get a branded meter for free from the manufacturer. If you buy the SD Codefree meter on Amazon then the strips are low cost. Some say the meter isn't quite as accurate but that may not be critical at this stage.
viviennem
Well-Known Member
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- 3,140
- Location
- Wensleydale, North Yorkshire
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Other
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- Football. Bad manners.
Ask for a meter. Tell your GP that you want to use it to learn which foods make your blood glucose spike, and which you can eat safely. Suggest that s/he let you have a 3-month trial with test strips on prescription, to see how it helps you manage your diabetes.
If you have a problem, promise the GP that you don't panic easily, and remind him/her gently that NICE guidelines say that Type 2s should be educated in how to use testing as part of their diabetes self-management.
Are you trying to lose weight? I've come down from over 21 stone to just under 17 stone so far, using a version of the Atkins diet - Viv's Modified Atkins Diet, which is a Sticky Thread in the Low Carb section. Not only have I lost weight, but my blood pressure and cholesterol are all within "normal" range now, as well. Do have a look at it - it may not be for you, but it works for me
.
Viv 8)
If you have a problem, promise the GP that you don't panic easily, and remind him/her gently that NICE guidelines say that Type 2s should be educated in how to use testing as part of their diabetes self-management.
Are you trying to lose weight? I've come down from over 21 stone to just under 17 stone so far, using a version of the Atkins diet - Viv's Modified Atkins Diet, which is a Sticky Thread in the Low Carb section. Not only have I lost weight, but my blood pressure and cholesterol are all within "normal" range now, as well. Do have a look at it - it may not be for you, but it works for me
.Viv 8)
Hi viviennem, I have a education session tomorrow (the last one) I will ask them, if not I'm seeing a nurse at the doctors on Tuesday.
I am trying to lose weight, I lost 12lbs from the first time and second time I was weighed. I expect they will weigh me tomorrow as well.
Wow well done you for losing weight, that's a lot.
I will let you know how I get on if you like.
Thank you for your advice, I'm so glad I found this forum you are all very helpful. Sue
I am trying to lose weight, I lost 12lbs from the first time and second time I was weighed. I expect they will weigh me tomorrow as well.
Wow well done you for losing weight, that's a lot.
I will let you know how I get on if you like.
Thank you for your advice, I'm so glad I found this forum you are all very helpful. Sue
viviennem
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 3,140
- Location
- Wensleydale, North Yorkshire
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Other
- Dislikes
- Football. Bad manners.
Mrs Taz said:
Glad to be able to help. Yes, please let us know how you get on.
Viv 8)
Well last education over.
They are going to write to my doctor to see if they can get a meter sorted for me, not sure yet.
I suppose they will let me know if I can have one what the "normal" readings are. I will just have to wait and see.
As far as the weight goes since February 6th to today I've lost 1 and a half stone.
I still want to carry on losing as well. It's hard as I suffer from agoraphobia I can't do as much exercise as I would like to, only I get is housework.
Thank you again for your help. Sue
They are going to write to my doctor to see if they can get a meter sorted for me, not sure yet.
I suppose they will let me know if I can have one what the "normal" readings are. I will just have to wait and see.
As far as the weight goes since February 6th to today I've lost 1 and a half stone.
I still want to carry on losing as well. It's hard as I suffer from agoraphobia I can't do as much exercise as I would like to, only I get is housework.
Thank you again for your help. Sue
viviennem
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 3,140
- Location
- Wensleydale, North Yorkshire
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Other
- Dislikes
- Football. Bad manners.
Well done you on the weight loss! :clap: That's very good.
While exercise is very beneficial, not all of us can do it. I can't do much, I can't walk very far, and I get most of my exercise in the summer, gardening. I have a little book called "Rosie's Armchair Exercises", by Rosita Evans, which is very good. Others are available! :wink:
As for Type 2 levels - the NICE guidelines for Type 2 diabetes are as follows:
4 - 7 mmols/l fasting/before meals;
less than 8.5, 2 hours after eating.
Don't worry if you're not quite there yet - it can take a little time. But every pound you lose will help your blood glucose levels to drop, and also help combat insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes was the best thing that ever happened to me - without the wake-up call I'd probably be heading to 30 stone by now.
Keep at it!
Viv 8)
That's very good.While exercise is very beneficial, not all of us can do it. I can't do much, I can't walk very far, and I get most of my exercise in the summer, gardening. I have a little book called "Rosie's Armchair Exercises", by Rosita Evans, which is very good. Others are available! :wink:
As for Type 2 levels - the NICE guidelines for Type 2 diabetes are as follows:
4 - 7 mmols/l fasting/before meals;
less than 8.5, 2 hours after eating.
Don't worry if you're not quite there yet - it can take a little time. But every pound you lose will help your blood glucose levels to drop, and also help combat insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes was the best thing that ever happened to me - without the wake-up call I'd probably be heading to 30 stone by now.
Keep at it!
Viv 8)
Now I can. Wrote a long message and it said error.
Thank you, I was pleased with weight loss.
I'll look into the armchair exercises book, sounds like a good idea.
Thank you for the levels for type 2.
I'm still not happy about being diabetic (who would be) but I can understand you saying its the best thing that ever happened it really is a wake up call. I intend to carry on trying to lose weight and eat the right things.
Do you mind me asking how long you've been diabetic and what was your first reaction.
It's a shame we can't do private messages on here as I would give you my e mail address.
Take care and keep well in this cold weather.
Sue
❄
Thank you, I was pleased with weight loss.
I'll look into the armchair exercises book, sounds like a good idea.
Thank you for the levels for type 2.
I'm still not happy about being diabetic (who would be) but I can understand you saying its the best thing that ever happened it really is a wake up call. I intend to carry on trying to lose weight and eat the right things.
Do you mind me asking how long you've been diabetic and what was your first reaction.
It's a shame we can't do private messages on here as I would give you my e mail address.
Take care and keep well in this cold weather.
Sue
❄
daisy1
Legend
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- Switzerland
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- Type 2
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- Tablets (oral)
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- Cruelty towards animals.
Sue, you should be able to send and receive private messages now, try it.
viviennem
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 3,140
- Location
- Wensleydale, North Yorkshire
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Other
- Dislikes
- Football. Bad manners.
Sue, I was diagnosed in March 2010 after the worst house removal that I've ever done - I was stressed to glory! which may have had something to do with the elevated BG levels.
My immediate reaction was: GP - "You're diabetic". Me - "No I'm not!"
I refused to let him register me, but a bit later I managed to persuade him to give me Metformin, as I knew that in the States it can be prescribed for weight loss. I knew in my heart-of-hearts that he was right; I was so angry with myself! How could I have let myself go to this extent!?
Anyway, I went straight back on to my beloved Atkins diet, and my HbA1c went from 6.5 in March to 5.6 in September. At that point the Diabetic Specialist GP caught up with me, and I let them register me. I never see the Specialist GP about my diabetes - we dislike each other - but go to my favourite GP instead, who understands me. He lets me manage myself, makes sure I get the print-outs of all my results, and lets me and our lovely Practice Nurse get on with it.
Because I was caught so early - they've been taking bets on me being diabetic since I joined the practice! - I have never had a single symptom. If I make sure I follow my diet I can always keep my blood glucose levels within the non-diabetic range, and can even manage occasional treats like fish and chips, as long as it is occasional.
Since Christmas I've been trying out a little experiment by eating up to 150g carb daily, and sure enough all my levels are gradually creeping up again. Also I've put on about 8lbs. The weather has certainly helped me eat carbs, but right now I'm getting fed up of them. Come back, sunshine and salads!
My little adventure with the car in the snow last Friday meant that I wasn't able to get to the surgery for my blood tests, so I shan't know the effect of the carbs on my HbA1c until April - I decided to space my tests from 3 monthly to 4 monthly, so I'll have to wait. The weight can't wait, though - back on the Atkins after Easter (and no, I won't be having an Easter Egg!).
Viv 8)
My immediate reaction was: GP - "You're diabetic". Me - "No I'm not!"
I refused to let him register me, but a bit later I managed to persuade him to give me Metformin, as I knew that in the States it can be prescribed for weight loss. I knew in my heart-of-hearts that he was right; I was so angry with myself! How could I have let myself go to this extent!?
Anyway, I went straight back on to my beloved Atkins diet, and my HbA1c went from 6.5 in March to 5.6 in September. At that point the Diabetic Specialist GP caught up with me, and I let them register me. I never see the Specialist GP about my diabetes - we dislike each other - but go to my favourite GP instead, who understands me. He lets me manage myself, makes sure I get the print-outs of all my results, and lets me and our lovely Practice Nurse get on with it.
Because I was caught so early - they've been taking bets on me being diabetic since I joined the practice! - I have never had a single symptom. If I make sure I follow my diet I can always keep my blood glucose levels within the non-diabetic range, and can even manage occasional treats like fish and chips, as long as it is occasional.
Since Christmas I've been trying out a little experiment by eating up to 150g carb daily, and sure enough all my levels are gradually creeping up again. Also I've put on about 8lbs. The weather has certainly helped me eat carbs, but right now I'm getting fed up of them. Come back, sunshine and salads!
My little adventure with the car in the snow last Friday meant that I wasn't able to get to the surgery for my blood tests, so I shan't know the effect of the carbs on my HbA1c until April - I decided to space my tests from 3 monthly to 4 monthly, so I'll have to wait. The weight can't wait, though - back on the Atkins after Easter (and no, I won't be having an Easter Egg!).
Viv 8)
